Top 20 – September week 3

Turtles regained the top spot from Psy with their song "비행기" (Aeroplanes). Overall, it is the 4th week that this song has been No. 1. The top 4 songs are still the same with Ha Dong Kyun and See Ya at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. These 4 songs have occupied the top 4 spots for the last 5 weeks. But we have a lot of new albums released and new songs should come up pretty soon.

3 new songs this week and they are doing quite well. Cherry Filter released their long awaited 4th album last month, and the title song "Happy Day" debuts at No. 7 this week. This song has the vintage Cherry Filter type of music, with a hard rock upbeat melody, yet is mainstream enough for mass acceptance.

Another rock type of song, Park Jung Ah’s "Yeah", comes close to the top 10 entering the chart at No. 11. Park Jung Ah gives us such a pleasent surprise with her first solo effort. The music style is pop-rock, which is very different from Jewelry’s music. I am very impressed with her album and her performances.

The last new entry at No. 16 is Hwan Hee’s "Tomorrow", from the MBC Drama "Over The Rainbow". We have a lot more songs from dramas entering our top 20 this year, even though the drama itself may not have scored a high rating. This is another example.

We are seeing another trend in Korean music – a lot of former or current group members are releasing their solo albums or songs, and most of them are doing quite well. This week on our chart, we have Ha Dong Kyun (Wanted), Girl Friends (Yuri of Cool + Chae Rina of Roora/Diva), Kim Jong Kook (Turbo), Lee Ji Hye (S#arp), Park Jung Ah (Jewelry), Hwan Hee (Fly To The Sky), and Ayumi (Sugar). We’ll see more in the coming weeks as Son Ho Young (G.O.D.), Kan Mi Yeon (Baby VOX), and Oh Jong Hyuk (Click-B ) have just released their first solo albums.

Songwriter honor roll – Songwriter Park Hae Woon has 3 top 20 hits this week. He wrote Girl Friends’ "May Be I Love You", Lee Ji Hye’s "Love Me Love Me", and Hwan Hee’s "Tomorrow". Park used to write a lot of hit songs for S#arp. Recently, he also released his first solo album under the name 썬 (Sun).

To listen to the 1 minute sample, you need to follow the links to melon.com and install the melon player to your computer. After that, click on the song title to listen.

Arirang TV: Featured on Turtles’ 4th album titled "Buy Turtles!", it’s a refreshing Turtles-style dance track blending the cute melody with the exotic sound of Hawaiian baby guitars. This song brings back the childhood memories to people who are tired of their everyday lives. Its addictive rhythm adds an exquisite fascination to the music. Music + Lyrics: Lim Sung Hoon (Turtleman)Score: 903

Arirang TV: Featured on Psy’s 4th album titled "Ssajip," its lyrics are very much like the one from Psy’s hit song "Utopia" with exciting and refreshing rhythm. In this song, he sings about being an entertainer to a woman he loves. Psy plays a double role of a genuine man and a comical angel through this music video. Music: Psy / Lyrics: Yoon Gun HyungScore: 877

Arirang TV: This is the theme song of the drama "Invisible Man, Choi Jang-soo", which stars Chae Si-ra and Yoo Oh-sung. Also featured on the O.S.T of the drama, the song’s sad lyrics and medium tempo with bright melody give ironic color to the song. The music video is a sequel to the song "Slippers" from the group’s first album. Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinScore: 734

Arirang TV: Featured on Seo Young Eun’s 2nd remake album titled "Romantic 2," this album includes the remake hits from the 70s to 80s. It makes the older generation reminiscent of old times, while introducing the new music to the younger generation. This title song is a remake version of The Weather Forecast’s song "I like it." Music + Lyrics: Na DeurScore: 604

Aquarius: Pretty ‘Girl Friends’ don’t look like they’re in their 30s, they said ‘Maybe I love you’ is their thanks to music fans who have supported them for the past 10 years. Their album is great, so it will come as no surprise if more songs of theirs enter our top 20. Their next single could be ‘Bite my lips’ (Track 04 – feat. Big Tone) Music: Lee Sang Baek / Lyrics: Park Hae WoonScore: 569

Arirang TV: Featured on Cherry Filter’s fourth album titled "Peace N’ Rock N’ Roll," this is very much like the typical Cherry Filter style song. Its acoustic piano sound is in great harmony with the cheerful and refreshing modern-rock feel of the music. The song’s unique and colorful lyrics represent Cherry Filter. The group has secured an identity as a modern rock band, while displaying more mature and refined sounds.Music + Lyrics: Jung Woo JinScore: 563

Arirang TV: Featured on Kim Jong-kook’s 4th album titled "Fourth Letter," it’s a refreshing medium tempo song where its lyrics and melody add poignancy to the song. Yoon Eun-hye, who is a close friend of Kim Jong-kook, displayed a great act in the music video. Kim hasn’t been in the limelight for some time due to his military service, but you can catch a glimpse of his back in the video. Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Yoon SaRaScore: 498

Arirang TV: Featured on Lee Ji-hye’s special single album titled "#+1," it is written by the S#arp’s hit maker Park Hae-un. Its modern rock beat and jazz style guitar melody are in perfect harmony with the lyrics. Music: Park Hae Woon / Lyrics: Kim Young AhScore: 492

Aquarius: One year has passed since the hit ‘Seems to fall in love’ from Yoon’s solo album ‘Difference’ topped all the Kpop-charts. Now, Yoon Do Hyun is back again with his band. The song ‘Today’, featured on their 2CDs called ‘Why Be?’, is typical of Yoon Do Hyun’s style of orchestra rock. Their performance at the ‘1st Seoul Drama Awards’ was great too.Score: 491

Arirang TV: Featured on digital omnibus album titled "Somewhere over the RAINBOW vol. 2," it is a bossa nova style music displaying somewhat different feel from the group’s previous songs. Its poignant lyrics are about a man separated with his lover still wandering around her, not having to forget her. This lyrics are in perfect harmony with member Lee-su’s vocals.

Arirang TV: Featured on TRAX’s first album titled "Cold Rain," this song expresses loneliness and sorrow of a person left alone. The music video is produced in music drama style on the theme of love, friendship, and betrayal. Members of the TRAX and Chun Sang Ji Hee’s Lina played the main roles in the music video. Music + Lyrics: KenzieScore: 394

Arirang TV: Featured on SM TOWN’s summer album titled "06 SUMMER SMTOWN," this song blends rock’n roll and dance beat. It brings out the perfect harmony between the guitar and keyboard play. The members’ vocals, rap, and repetitive melody add excitement to the song.Score: 390

Arirang TV: Featured on the O.S.T of the drama "Over the Rainbow," this song is played in the drama "Over the Rainbow," starring Fly to the Sky’s Fany and rookie star Kim Ok-Bin. Its moderate lyrics and poignant melody are in perfect harmony. The song also brings out Fany-style soul music.Music: Park Hae Woon / Lyrics: Kang Eun KyungScore: 385

Arirang TV: Featured on Ayumi’s digital single album titled "Cutie Honey," this is the song which Ayumi adopted from the Japanese singer Koda Kumi’s remake hit from the O.S.T of the Go Nagai’s animation. Its unique lyrics and trot-style melody are in perfect harmony. It’s an exciting track with 8-beat European rhythm and strong tempo. Original song: Japanese version of "Cutie Honey" / Lyrics: AyumiScore: 363

Arirang TV: Featured on Buzz’s 3rd album titled "Perfect," it’s a story about two lovers waiting for separation. Its moderate piano and string play add to the song’s poignant feel. The lyrics are connected to the song "My Darling," which is included in the group’s third album. Continuing the title song "You Don’t Know Guys," Buzz’s guitarist Sohn Sung-hee put on a great act in this music video. Music: Lee Sang Joon / Lyrics: Lee Jae KyungScore: 360

Arirang TV: Featured on Shinhwa’s 8th album titled “State of the art Special Edition" and Japanese album titled "Inspiration #1," this song is arranged in Solid Groove Mix version and its dynamic hip-hop sound gives more strength to the song. The music video features two of the group’s members – Eric and Kim Dong-wan – chasing one another.Score: 353

The sources of this top 20 chart are pretty much the same, but the weight assigned to each source may be different each week because some charts do not update weekly (e.g. MNet M!Countdown) and I assign fewer percentage when it happens. From now on, I’ll list my chart sources each week. For September week 3: